Iran sanctions timeline

All this is profoundly wrong-headed. Saudi Arabia may be our oil ally, and Iran our perceived adversary, but military action against Iran would be a huge mistake. We would be siding with a repressive kingdom run by a ruthless despot against a more populated country that, despite its quasi-theocratic black box politics, is both more open and further along the road to becoming a pluralistic society. … [Read more...] about The US shouldn’t take military action against Iran

It’s not a new issue for the president. He rallied around it in 2016 and, during his term, has repeatedly urged bringing the troops home only to be talked out of it by moderating forces including former Defense Secretary James Mattis and chief of staff John Kelly. Mattis resigned last December when Trump announced -- and later partly rescinded -- a decision to pull all troops out of Syria. … [Read more...] about Trump says he plans to issue new sanctions against Turkey

The Syrian advance into the northeast has raised concerns that the eight-year Syrian war, which grew out of the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011, is entering a new and unpredictable phase. Russia, whose aerial support helped turn the tide of the conflict in favor of President Bashar al-Assad, has emerged as the key power broker in the latest battle. … [Read more...] about Kurds agree to deal with Assad as Turkish offensive continues

Trump’s decision has turned a relatively stable corner of Syria into its most dynamic battleground. As Turkey and Syrian fighters it supports push in from the north to root out the Kurdish-led militia that was allied with the United States, Assad’s forces have moved in from the south, gobbling up territory. … [Read more...] about Assad’s Syrian forces move into area hit by Turkey